ierapetra -Crete's substantial greenhouse-based agribusiness.

Nederlands talige tekstenCrete’s greenhouse based agri-business.

Ierápetra is the most southernly situated city of Greece. The cultivation of cucumbers and tomatoes influences the rhythm of life of the approximately 8500 inhabitants of this city.
In the 60’s the Dutch farmer Paul Kuipers visited the island with the idea to use plastic hot-houses to advance the growth of tomatoes and cucumbers. Initially he was laughed at, but when one saw that he had 3 to 4 harvests a year, the Cretans soon started implementing his techniques.

Farmer Kuipers died in 1971 due to a bike accident. To show gratitude, the inhabitants of Ierápetra erected a statue near the village of Stómio on the exact spot where he built his first hot-house, with the text ‘Paulos Kuipers, Dutch farmer 1939-1971.

Ierápetra was already inhabited in the antiquities and was then called Hierapytna. In the beginning of the 4th century the city was an episcopal chair, later the Venetians and Turks used her as a fortress. Allegedly in 1798 even Napoleon stayed here for one night during his passage to Egypt.

There has been talk of a new airport to be built in the near surroundings of Ierápetra. Not so much to accommodate tourism, but more to secure a faster delivery of tomatoes and cucumbers when the prices are most profitable.

harbour city - the most southern one of Greece
turquiose waters and clear beaches

Chrissy island – Golden Beach

From Ierpetra you can depart by boat to the island of Chrysi, which means gold in the Greek language. Just eight nautical miles south of Ierapetra awaits this beautiful island surrounded by its turquoise waters.

In the waters the sea turtles Caretta Caretta are often spotted.

turquiose waters and clear beaches